The Mountain Home Bombers will look to gain some experience with their young players and make up for a lack of size during the 2018 season.

Just like its offense, more than half of Mountain Home's starting defensive players could be sophomores.

“The defensive staff has been doing a really good job, and the kids are coming along fundamentally," Mountain Home defensive coordinator Jerry West said. "They have all the positive character traits you look for, the stance, alignment, read and technique — the execution is all getting better.”

Defensive linemen

Mountain Home assistant coach Philip Goodwin said sophomore Dawson Tabor (6-3, 255) is projected to start at the 'rush' defensive end position, but several players will produce reps at the position, since Tabor also starts on offense.

Sophomore Matt Jones (6-3, 225) brings athleticism from the basketball team, and junior Dylan Poush could also be a two-way starter.

"Matt Jones, we’re excited to have him," Goodwin said. "He’s a big body and knows how to use it. He’ll give us some good reps. Dylan Poush is a technician. He’ll do what you ask and he’ll do it right every time he gets a chance. He’ll back up both of those guys. Based on how much running Dawson does at quarterback, Dylan may end up playing most of the rush end.”

Mountain Home returns some experience to the tackle positions.

"Our nose is (junior) Austin Lance," Goodwin said. "(Senior) Dakota Tolbert plays the 'beast' tackle spot. (Senior) Taylor Simmons will play some nose, and (sophomore) Aiden Richey is pretty stout for us. Those four will play those two positions. They will be able to give each other some rest. They’ve come a long way as far as what we’re trying to get them to do, as far as staying low, maintaining gap integrity, so our linebackers can make a play.”

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Dylan Poush(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

Linebackers

The Bombers are having to replace a lot of experience in their linebacking corps.

Two newcomers are the frontrunners at the 'Jack' linebacker position.

“Colton Peters has done a really good job," MHHS assistant coach Nathan Criner said. "His background in basketball, his athletic ability and coachability and lateral movement — he seems to be eager to get physical and to learn. (Sophomore) Tatem Beshears is working there, too. He’s played linebacker for us before coming up through junior high. He’s not a very big guy, but he’s physical. Brandon Morrow also just moved there about two weeks ago.”

Senior Lathan Aldridge (5-11, 205) returns from an injury-plagued 2017 season to vie for the 'Mike' linebacker spot.

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Brock Bogy(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

“The Mike spot is that bigger guy, a run-stuffer," Criner said. "He has to be the quarterback of our defense. He’s recognizing what formation they’re in and what personnel they have. Lathan is a senior but missed a lot with injury. (Sophomore) Brock Bogy and Lathan will be competing. We don’t have a number one at anything just yet. Trace Rick just moved to linebacker from defensive end.”

“He’s the one who has to cover more ground," Criner said. "Hunter played linebacker for us last year. (Sophomore) Gage Hershberger is looking really good at linebacker and running back. He wants to know more, and he’s a smart kid. He also missed some time with injury last year, so he is hungry. (Junior) Blake Pope can play at Will or Mike.”

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Hunter Preis(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

Defensive backs

Two juniors are projected to start at safety for the Bombers.

“Hunter Preis is at free safety and James Swartz at strong safety," West said. "And Colton Peters and Tatem Beshears, at that Jack linebacker, are kind of a hybrid safety and linebacker. With as many spread offenses as we see, you need that monsterback or nickelback type of player.”

Three sophomores and a junior have been competing at cornerback.

“We’ve had some sophomores working there, and it’s by committee, really," West said. "Lawson Stockton, Logen Walker, Bryce McKay and Eric Pederson are getting a lot of time there.”

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Logen Walker(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

The Bombers open their season Thursday against Sheridan at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.